NAME

last − indicate last logins of users and teletypes

SYNTAX

last [−N] [name...] [tty...]

DESCRIPTION

The last command looks back in the wtmp file which records all logins and logouts for information about a user, a teletype or any group of users and teletypes. Arguments specify names of users or teletypes of interest. Names of teletypes may be given fully or abbreviated. For example ‘last 0’ is the same as ‘last tty0’. If multiple arguments are given, the information which applies to any of the arguments is printed.  For example ‘last root console’ would list all of "root’s" sessions as well as all sessions on the console terminal.  The last command will print the sessions of the specified users and teletypes, most recent first, indicating the times at which the session began, the duration of the session, and the teletype which the session took place on. If the session is still continuing or was cut short by a reboot, last so indicates.

The pseudo-user reboot logs in at reboots of the system, thus

last reboot

will give an indication of mean time between reboot. 

The last command with no arguments prints a record of all logins and logouts, in reverse order.

If last is interrupted, it indicates how far the search has progressed in wtmp. If interrupted with a quit signal (generated by a control-\) last indicates how far the search has progressed so far, and the search continues.

OPTIONS

−N
Limits the number of output lines to the specified number.

FILES

/usr/adm/wtmplogin data base
/usr/adm/shutdownlogwhich records shutdowns and reasons for same

SEE ALSO

wtmp(5), ac(8), lastcomm(1)